This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Vacation 2016, Part 5
Dec
13
2016
Here’s a recap of our summer vacation. This year, it was driving to Mt. Rushmore.
Day 7
Up in the morning, continental breakfast at the hotel lobby (which doubled as a souvenir shop and fireworks store), then we were off again. Headed to Minnesota this time.
This part of the trip was the most boring, scenery-wise. On the plus side, it had the highest speed limit, so that was fun.
Not much to report. We drove east for about 8 hours, stopping for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Mitchell. Thought about visiting the corn palace while we were there, but we didn’t. Then more driving, and we got to our destination in time for dinner. Stayed with relatives, not at a hotel, so that was good.
We went from 100+ degrees and dry and windy to this:
We had a nice dinner and then went onto the lake. Yes, onto. Not in.
Then it was bedtime – between the long drive in the van and changing a time zone and general excitement, the kids were worn out. Among the six of us, there were available to use two beds, two sleeping bags, an air mattress, and a couch.
The kids chose the sleeping bags and air mattresses. In case you are wondering, there are 3 kids sleeping in that photo.
Day 8
The day was spent touring the farm and stuff.
Kids got to drive a tractor.
And sit in a semi cab.
And drive a Gator.
I think the highlight was the Gator. Because it was more their size and because we let them drive on their own.
Then we spent time out on the boat. Or rather, in the boat which was on the water. No water skiing, but a lot of tubing and some jumping and swimming. The kids are so used to strict rules of no diving at pools, so it was a pleasant surprise when we told them they could jump off the boat any way they wanted.
Another nice dinner and visiting with some more relatives out on the back patios
and then playing pool and foosball and then bed.
Day 9
Not as much fun this day. Breakfast, then packing and cleaning. Tried to leave on the early side because we had another 8 hour drive ahead of us.
As is our tradition, we stopped in the Wisconsin Dells for lunch. The boys really like Buffalo Phils. The food is fine; the draw is the food-delivering train.
Then a few more hours of driving until we arrive at our hotel for the night. Nothing special here, just typical chain fare.
Day 10
Breakfast, then we played in the pool for an hour or so before we packed up and checked out. It took a few hours to get back home, so we had some time after we got home to unload the minivan and unwind for a bit. We had done laundry along the way (a couple loads in Custer and a couple loads in Minnesota), so there was only one load of dirty laundry to wash at home.
The End.
They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
Mark 6:32
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 6:20 am and has been carefully placed in the Travel category.
